The NFL is a copycat league. The trends aren’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. Teams are now searching for a certain type of player on the defense: the tall corner.

One corner who fits this current mold? Dolphins fourth-round draft choice Walt Aikens. The Dolphins are hoping that the 6’1 cornerback out of FCS powerhouse Liberty can fill that role and compliment the feisty but smaller group of defensive backs like Pro Bowlers Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan, and last year’s early draft picks Will Davis and Jamar Taylor.

In an interview with The Finsiders, Liberty Head Coach Turner Gill broke down Aikens, his former star cornerback and described what kind of player the Dolphins are getting with their fourth round selection.

One of the only things you can’t teach in this game is height and Aikens has plenty of it for a defensive back. Gill says that he uses his large frame to his advantage on the field.

“He’s definitely all of that 6’1,” said Gill. “He’ll tackle, run through people, and he can run with people because he’s a guy that has good speed too.”

Aikens not only has the height and measurables you could want from an NFL corner today, but he also provides defenses with flexibility. His strength and speed in man coverage gives the Dolphins the ability to put him on an island with a receiver and trust that he can get the job done, since he played in a man-based coverage scheme in college under Gill.

“We were a pure man and a quarters team, which basically ends up turning into man coverage,” said Gill. “So we allowed him to play press at certain times. As a matter of fact, whenever we had him going against a good receiver, we told him to go wherever he goes. That tells you what kind of guy we thought about him, as we put him on the best receivers we played against.”

Of course nothing is guaranteed ever in this league. Aikens will have to compete and outwork several talented players in a deep defensive backfield. Gill believes that Aikens best quality is his competitiveness, and there should be no problem for him working his way into a meaningful role with the team.

“This guy here knows how to compete, and I know he’s going to go in there and compete very well,” said Gill. “He is a physical player, and he’s not going to back down from anybody.”

Please Note:
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed by The Finsiders Blog represent those of individual writers, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions, policies or desires of the Miami Dolphins organization, front office, coaches and executives. Writers' views are formulated independently from any inside information and/or conversation with Dolphins officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

I’m expecting big things from this guy. i honestly believe he’s going to start maybe by the end of this season. i seen highlights and he seems like the answer to the vacant CB position. Lord knows Jamar & Will suck.

Grimes plays much bigger then what he is. But other then that fact, Miami is small in the secondary. Having a player with some height is a smart play. I don’t ever want to see Miami get funnel vision on a player. There was a time, there was a different NFL that you wanted to keep all your veterans no matter what. But that has changed. Players are looking out for the most important franchise in their world, that is them and their families. I understand that. However that in turn changes the fan base. Most (including myself) have been slow to accept it. But we’re cheering for the logo, a few long term vets, and the teams place in our city. It’s nothing short of heartbreak and anger to get too attached to players. Get the best ones you can and let the other walk. If Aikens is better or looks to become and stay better then another guy. Keep him and let the other guy go his way with a blessing for him to find success. By no longer can any player be above being THAT GUY. Because when FA hits, they are going to usually (not always) follow the cash.

I see the best way for Aikens to land a spot on this roster right away, is on special teams. I don’t think our CB position will look much different this year from last. I see Taylor and Finnegan fighting for the spot opposite of Grimes and the rest of the guys that was on last years roster, filling the nickel, dime and backup roles. Aiken could make it into that group, we’ll have to wait and see, but he’s not the type of player that you put on the practice squad, because he will quickly be swiped up by another team, and he’ll be gone for good. We were fortunate to get AJ Francis back last year, after putting him on the practice squad. I don’t see lightning striking twice, if you know what I mean.